Ankle Injury
What Is a Ankle Injury?
An ankle injury is damage to any of the structures in the ankle joint, including the bones, ligaments, tendons, or muscles. These injuries can result from sudden movements, twists, or falls, leading to pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the ankle.
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Types of Ankle Injuries
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Sprains: Stretching or tearing of ligaments, commonly caused by twisting or rolling the ankle.
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Strains: Overstretching or tearing of muscles or tendons in the ankle.
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Fractures: Breaks in the bones of the ankle, often from a direct impact or high force.
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Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendons around the ankle due to overuse or repetitive strain.
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Dislocations: When the bones of the ankle are displaced from their normal position, often due to a traumatic injury.
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Ankle Injury Causes​
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Twisting or Rolling: Sudden movements that stretch the ankle ligaments beyond their limits.
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Overuse: Repeated stress from activities like running or jumping.
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Trauma: Direct impacts, such as a fall or sports-related accidents.
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Weak Muscles: Poor muscle strength or imbalances can increase the risk of injury.
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Improper Footwear: Shoes that don’t provide adequate support or cushioning.
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Ankle Injury Symptoms
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Pain: Immediate sharp pain or dull throbbing, especially when moving the ankle.
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Swelling: Swelling around the ankle joint, often after an injury.
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Bruising: Discoloration from blood vessels breaking under the skin.
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Limited Mobility: Difficulty or inability to move the ankle without pain.
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Instability: The ankle may feel unstable or like it might give out.
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Ankle Injury Prevention
At Empower Fitness, prevention of ankle injuries is a key focus. Dr. Ezra Miller - Physical Therapist, emphasizes strengthening the muscles around the ankle, improving flexibility, and using proper footwear.
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A tailored rehabilitation program that focuses on proprioception and balance can reduce the risk of future injuries.
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​​​​​​​​Ankle Injury Treatment
Ankle injury treatment at Empower Fitness with Dr. Ezra Miller focuses on a multi-step approach:
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Rest and Protection: Initially, rest the injured ankle to prevent further damage. Immobilization may be necessary in some cases.
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Ice and Elevation: Applying ice to the injury reduces swelling and pain, while elevating the ankle helps fluid drainage.
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Compression: Wrapping the ankle with an elastic bandage can reduce swelling and provide support.
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Rehabilitation: A personalized physical therapy plan is developed to restore strength, flexibility, and balance. This includes targeted exercises and stretches to prevent re-injury.
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Gradual Return to Activity: Dr. Miller ensures that patients gradually return to activity, avoiding high-impact movements until the ankle has regained full strength and stability.
